BT make new appointment

BT Group PLC
07 August 2002


                                                                  August 7, 2002

                             KEY APPOINTMENTS IN BT


BT today announced the appointment of Hanif Lalani as chief finance officer of
BT Wholesale.

Paul Reynolds, chief executive of BT Wholesale, said: "I am delighted that
Hanif is joining BT Wholesale. He brings us a valuable combination of skills and
knowledge, energy and enthusiasm. He's a finance professional with strong,
operational experience and a track record of commercial success."

Hanif Lalani will move to BT Wholesale in September from BT Retail where
he is currently director BT Regions. He took on this role after three years
running BT Northern Ireland where he had moved in 1998 on being appointed
finance director BT Northern Ireland.

He said: "This is an exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to the
challenge of helping to drive BT Wholesale forward for profitable growth at a
time when the telecom sector world-wide is under great pressure. This business
has tremendous potential and I look forward to being part of the leadership
team."

He succeeds Russ Houlden who is leaving BT to become finance director for
Lovells, a top international law firm.

Paul Reynolds said: "Russ leaves with our thanks and best wishes. He has played
a key role in the transformation and commercial development of the Wholesale
business since it was established in October 2000."

BT also announced today that Bill Murphy, senior vice president operational
effectiveness, BT Ignite and chief executive of Esat BT, will be appointed to
the position of managing director, BT Regions, including BT Northern Ireland,
from 1 September. Bill will also remain a member of the BT Ignite executive
team.

Andy Green, chief executive of BT Ignite, said: "I am delighted for Bill. Under
these new arrangements, he will be well placed to maximise BT's success
throughout Ireland."

Pierre Danon, chief executive of BT Retail, said: "Hanif has done a tremendous
job for us and we are sure he will be equally successful in his new role. I am
delighted to welcome Bill to the BT Retail leadership team and am sure he will
make a huge impact."



Notes to editors:

Hanif Lalani was born in Uganda and moved to the UK with his family in 1972. He
was educated at Wetherby High School and later attended Essex University where
he gained his BA Honours Degree in Mathematics, Operations Research and
Economics.

In 1988 Hanif gained his professional accountancy qualification and he is a
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

In 1984 Hanif joined BT and he worked in a wide variety of roles in the
company's UK and international divisions. His roles have included Major
Acquisitions Project Manager, Strategy & Planning Controller, Financial Director
BT Shops and BT Northern Ireland. In October 1999 he was appointed Director of
BT Northern Ireland. He was also Chairman of OCEAN Communications (BT's
subsidiary in the Republic of Ireland) from June 1999 to September 2000. In
April 2002 Hanif was appointed director BT Regions.

He is a member of CBI Council (Northern Ireland), board member of Business
in the Community (Northern Ireland), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of
Management Accountants and non executive director of Saffron Interactive.



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